Weird 791 Problem

[Switch]

I have a 2001 GA GT and a 2004 Sebring Sedan. I have 791s installed on both of them. Best buy did the install on my sebring and I did the install on my GA. My 791 works flawlessly but on the sebring there's a problem when you remote start the vehicle your no longer able to send the system commands from the remote, (i.e. unlock or lock the doors, pop the trunk or even recieve pages from the alarm system itself if it goes off.) This action only happens first thing in the morning and in cold weather. So the rest of year it acts perfectly fine

Best Buy has switched the brain out three times and the car has been rewired twice by them; nothing has changed. they tell me that the car may not be able perform the functions that i want it to. Which is bogus cause it does it during the summer, it's when the temperature changes around the 40s that it stops responding.

Can this problem be linked to the placement of the alarms antenna, they have it on the black/ metallic surround that goes around the window. My antenna in my GA is directly on the window.

If anyone knows how I can trouble shoot this problem it would be a big help. Thanks in advance.

[sunrunner_pei]

The antenna for my 791XV is mounted on the window surround above my rearview on my '03 Grand Am. I doubt that's your problem, although I have no idea what else might be the cause. :(

[Jibo]

If it only happens when its cold, I'm thinking its not your attenna, thats definitely strange, mine is mounted just behind and above the rear view on my ga as well and it works flawlessly for my 791XV

[Switch]

The problems on my Sebring and not my Grand Am if that helps any.

[MantaGreen97]

Yeah this is a strange one. The guys at Best Lie, although I know lots of people don't like Best Lie installers (sometimes for good reason), are probably at the very least MECP bronze certified... If they've switched out the brain 3 times and re-oriented the antenna and everything is actually hooked up right, the only thing I can think that would be causing a problem is electrical interference/EMI/RFI that is being output by the car when it is running and that is interfering with the transmission of signals to/from the alarm and transmitter. Why it only happens in the winter is another mystery. Could be that certain emission controls electronics operate differently in the winter (they do); and thus they may exhibit a different frequency of interference which is getting at the alarm.

Did they guys at Best Lie just tell you that stuff about not being able to do that and leave it at that? Like c'mon those guys should have their certification taken away, LOL.

It sounds like "one of things" that you might not be able to get away from. You should email Directed and ask them if they've ever heard of such a problem with the 791 and your vehicle. There are thousands of installers, installing their products on thousands of cars so certainly if it is an issue with the Sebring then I'm sure DEI has heard of it and they may have a solution.

[Switch]

Actually They did tell me that line about the car simply not being able to operate like that once you remote start it. I'm still not buying that, but I will take your advice and try to contact DEI. Another installer sent me a message telling me to unplug the antenna for 15 mins or so and that would reset it, do you think that could help?

[Willy_HSV]

Ummm, I have no clue as what I am saying, but, since it is cold weather that is tripping it up, I was just wondering if you had any type of electrical warmers in the car (seat, mirror, engine block) that might be sucking the power to a level that it can not receive the signals well enough to work? Also, check your ground wires and connectors to make sure they are getting good conduction. Maybe the cold is causing the wires to shrink just enough to cause a bad connection.

Just my 2 cents (since I am bored at work and have nothing better to do).

[Switch]

Thanks for the Tip, I'll look into it today. It does have an engine block heater but for it to cause EMI wouldn't it have to plugged in?

[Willy_HSV]

If your block heater is an AC then yes, it would have to be plugged in. I was just running off at the keyboard to give some ideas of other possibilities, hoping to spur some inspirational thoughts by the guru's here in da forums =8^D>

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by Switch
Actually They did tell me that line about the car simply not being able to operate like that once you remote start it.

That would be an acceptable explanation if the car did that all the time. But since it only does it when it is cold outside, that obviously doesn't cut it.
Originally posted by Switch
I'm still not buying that, but I will take your advice and try to contact DEI.
Yeah see what DEI will tell you. They will usually try to refer you to the installer because that is the installers job--to handle such situations and/or consult with Directed regarding the problem. So be sure to tell them the whole story, including where it was installed and how the installers have tried but are not offering a satisfactory resolution/explanation.
Originally posted by Switch
Another installer sent me a message telling me to unplug the antenna for 15 mins or so and that would reset it, do you think that could help?
Yeah that could be a good idea. I've never personally installed one of these DEI models or even looked at the install manual but if the person telling you to do this is an installer and has dealt with these products, I'd say it is definitely worth a try.

[Switch]

I'm officially at a loss, DEI did refer me back to the installer. I had them look it over again, the wiring was fine everything was connected and secure. I also had them switch the antenna out and that seemed to cause the system to operate the same. But once again this action only happens first thing in the morning when you really want your car to be warmed up when you walk out to it. Any other time during the day it operates fine. I thought it might be something in the area that was causing it so I left it over a friends and then went over and started the car up the next morning but the resulting action was the same. :(